New York, NY (WGR Sports Radio 550) - The Buffalo Sabres set the tone against the New York Rangers just 26 seconds into the game on Thursday.
It’s funny that if they work hard and work together, the Sabres become a pretty good team. Beating the Rangers in New York 6-1, is pretty good proof of that.
In the opening moments of the game, Jordan Greenway dumped the puck into the Rangers end with a purpose. Sure enough, Ryan McLeod and Jason Zucker were able to get in to retrieve the puck, and start a play that saw Rasmus Dahlin score from the left circle.
The hard work didn't end there.
New York had the puck in Buffalo’s end for a lot of that period, but the Sabres were determined to hold their positions and not let the Rangers penetrate into the middle. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen was only forced into one huge save, and it came when Will Cuylle broke open in front.
Igor Shesterkin is one of the best goaltenders in the National Hockey League, but Buffalo sent him to the showers early for the first time all season, netting five goals on 12 shots in 33:51 of work.
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The other big thing to take away from this game is Zach Benson is back to playing the way he did last season. This is the first game he looked healthy, and was rewarded with the first star of the game.
Following the game, Benson said it was pretty cool to play in an iconic arena, because several players dream of playing in a place like Madison Square Garden, because there have been a lot of famous people in there.
Benson had a goal and an assist in the win, but he said he and his linemates Dylan Cozens and Jack Quinn sat down and talked about how out of sync they were. They were 100% on the same page Thursday, and it led to a lot of sustained pressure and scoring opportunities.
The Buffalo Bills talk frequently about how everybody eats in their wide receivers room. This was a game where everybody ate for the Sabres.
When all was said and done, 15 of the 18 skaters had points. It’s only the second time in team history where all 12 forwards got on the scoresheet.
The Sabres put this game away and chased Shesterkin in the second period when they scored three goals in 2:12.
So here we are again at a crossroads for the Sabres.
We watch them beat teams like the Rangers, Dallas Stars and Florida Panthers, only to lose to the Columbus Blue Jackets, Pittsburgh Penguins and New York Islanders. Stacking wins is essential, and they’ve now put together two excellent efforts and games.
Can they continue this and get another one Saturday against the Calgary Flames? If they’re fast, are hard to play against and work together as a team, then certainly they have a chance.